Green Bay Packers great Bart Starr is making "a very, very slow recovery" almost five months after having two strokes, four seizures and a heart attack, his wife says.

Cherry Starr discussed her husband's health when she spoke to the Arizona Republic for a story about his role in trying to bring an NFL team to Phoenix after being fired as Packers coach in 1983.

"When we left the hospital (after 2½ months), he could not walk or sit up unassisted. Now he's walking on a walker and standing very erect. He lost 20 pounds and gained back 10 and is getting stronger," she said.

Cherry Starr then tempered that optimism with a blunt assessment.

"I don't know how much recovery he can make with his cognitive ability," she said.

"He's been such a kind, generous, loving man all his life. It's not a good quality of life for him, and it hurts me to see him this way. I wish so much this had never happened."

Cherry Starr, wife of Bart Starr, speaks during the dedication of the Bart Starr statue at the Packers Heritage Trail plaza in downtown Green Bay in November 2013.(Photo: File/Press-Gazette Media)

Bart Starr, who turned 81 earlier this month, has been married to Cherry for 60 years. He has not done interviews or made public appearances since being stricken in early September.

Their son, Bart Jr., presented the Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award for outstanding character, integrity and leadership to Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning at a Super Bowl breakfast in Phoenix on Friday. It was the first time since the award was created in 1989 that the elder Starr did not present it.

Bart Starr Jr. also filled in for his father at a Rawhide Boys Ranch event featuring former Packers quarterback Brett Favre and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young in Ashwaubenon in early December.

At that time, the elder Starr had just taken his first steps in rehab.

"We have to be realists, at almost 81 years old, the level of recovery you might attain is not going to be necessarily what it would be, say, at 61," Bart Starr Jr. said at the time. "But whatever can be attained I think we will."

Bart Starr played for the Packers from 1956 to 1971 and won five NFL championships. He was the most valuable player in the first two Super Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. Starr coached the Packers from 1975 to 1983, compiling a 52-76-3 regular-season record.

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Rookie quarterback Bart Starr had his first day of practice with the Green Bay Packers at their practice field at Green Bay East High School on July 16 1956. They were short of centers that day, so Bernard “Boob” Darling, who played center for the team from 1927 to 1931, volunteered to snap the ball to Starr. The 17th-round draft pick from Alabama was one of three rookie quarterbacks at practice that day. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15), making his first start, looks downfield against the San Francisco 49ers at old City Stadium on Nov. 18, 1956. 49ers linebacker Matt Hazeltine (55) rushes at right. The Packers lost 17-16. It was the last NFL game played at old City Stadium. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15), making his first start, throws downfield against the San Francisco 49ers at old City Stadium on Nov. 18, 1956. 49ers defensive tackle Leo Nomellini (73) looks downfield. The Packers lost 17-16. It was the last NFL game played at old City Stadium. Press-Gazette Media archives

New Green Bay Packers coach Scooter McLean poses with his four quarterbacks as they begin classroom sessions at the Packers' offices in downtown Green Bay in late July 1958. From left are Babe Parilli, Bart Starr, Doug Maison and Joe Francis. Parilli, Starr and Francis shared the staring job that season. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr blows on his gloved hands to try to stay warm as the Packers practice on Dec. 20, 1960, in preparation for the NFL championship game against the Eagles in Philadelphia. Press-Gazette Media archives

From left, Packers quarterbacks John Roach, Bart Starr, Val Keckin and Joe Francis pose for a photo on the lawn at St. Norbert College in De Pere during training camp in early August 1961. Starr and Roach were the Packers' quarterbacks that season. Keckin, an 11th-round draft pick from Southern Mississippi, didn't make the team. Francis played for the Packers in 1958 and 1959, but didn't make the team in 1961. Press-Gazette Media archives

From left, Green Bay Packers fullback Jim Taylor, coach Vince Lombardi, halfback Paul Hornung and quarterback Bart Starr pose for a photo in the locker room at Milwaukee County Stadium after clinching the Western Division championship with a 20-17 victory over the New York Giants on Dec. 3, 1961. Taylor and Lombardi are celebrating with Pepsi-Colas. Hornung has a cigarette. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers center Jim Ringo (51) shakes hands with quarterback Bart Starr (15) as coach Vince Lombardi watches near the end of the NFL championship game at new City Stadium on Dec. 31, 1961. The Packers defeated the New York Giants 37-0. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr lies on the field after injuring his ribs while trying to stop Baltimore Colts linebacker Don Shinnick from scoring on a 25-yard fumble return on the Packers' first play from scrimmage of their 13-10 overtime victory over the Colts in the Western Conference championship game at Lambeau Field on Dec. 26, 1965. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15) is helped off the field by guard Jerry Kramer (64) and Dr. James Nellen after injuring his ribs on Green Bay’s first play from scrimmage in a 13-10 victory over the Baltimore Colts in overtime in the Western Division championship game at Lambeau Field on Dec. 26, 1965. Starr had completed a pass to end Bill Anderson, who fumbled. Colts linebacker Don Shinnick recovered and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. Starr was hurt while trying to stop one of Shinnick’s blockers. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr runs off the field during the NFL championship game against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field on Jan. 2, 1966. The Packers won 23-12. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr is congratulated by team president Dominic Olejniczak in the locker room after the NFL championship game at Lambeau Field on Jan. 2, 1966. The Packers defeated the Cleveland Browns 23-12. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr watches his son Bart Jr., 9, line up a shot at the pool table in their Green Bay home in 1966. Starr's wife Cherry and their other son, Bret, 2, look on. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr runs onto the field before the NFL-AFL Championship Game (Super Bowl I) against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Jan. 15, 1967. The Packers won 35-10. Press-Gazette Media archives

With tackle Forrest Gregg (75) and guard Jerry Kramer (64) leading the way, Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr dives across the goal line for the game-winning touchdown in the NFL championship game -- the Ice Bowl -- at Lambeeau Field on Dec. 31, 1967. Kramer keeps Dallas defensive tackle Jethro Pugh (75) out of the play. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 21-17 on a 13-below day. Press-Gazette Media archives

The officials signal a touchdown as Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15) dives across the goal line for the game-winning score in the NFL championship game -- the Ice Bowl -- at Lambeeau Field on Dec. 31, 1967. Guard Jerry Kramer (64) lays on the ground with Dallas defensive tackle Jethro Pugh on top of him. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 21-17 on a 13-below day. Press-Gazette archives Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr, his face swollen from the cold, talks to reporters at his locker after the Packers’ 21-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL championship game -- the Ice Bowl -- on Dec. 31, 1967. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15) bows his head during a moment of silence for former coach Vince Lombardi, who was dying of cancer, as the Packers hosted the New York Giants in a preseason game on Aug. 8, 1970. Lombardi died 3½ weeks later in Washington, D.C. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers tackle Forrest Gregg (75) and quarterback Bart Starr (15) talk to the spotters on the sidelines during the Packers? 40-0 loss to the Detroit Lions in the season opener on Sept. 20, 1970. Press-Gazette Media archives

Quarterback Bart Starr hands the ball to fullback John Brockington during the Packers' 29-21 loss to the New Orleans Saints at Milwaukee County Stadium on Nov. 28, 1971. Guard Gale Gillingham (68) leads the blocking. It was Starr's first start of the season. He started three of the last four games, then retired before the 1972 season started. Press-Gazette Media archives

Bart and Cherry Starr stand in the trophy room at their De Pere home in this undated photo. They're holding a game ball presented to Bart Starr after the Green Bay Packers' 21-17 victory over the 49ers at San Francisco in 1963. Press-Gazette Media archives

Bart Starr looks over his jersey at his locker after announcing on Jan. 9, 1973, that he was leaving the Green Bay Packers to pursue business interests in Alabama. Injured for most of the 1971 season, he started at quarterback in three of the last four games of that season. During training camp in 1972, Starr retired as a player and became the Packers’ quarterbacks coach for one season. Press-Gazette Media archives

All eyes are on Bart Starr, center, as he walks to the podium to be introduced as the Green Bay Packers’ new coach and general manager at the team’s administration building on Dec. 24, 1974. Starr is accompanied by his wife, Cherry, and team president Dominic Olejniczak, left. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers coach Bart Starr looks over scouting reports in the team's draft room at Lambeau Field before the NFL draft in January 1975. He had just been named coach. Press-Gazette Media archives

Former teammates Bart Starr, left, and Forrest Gregg meet as opposing coaches as the Green Bay Packers host the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game at Lambeau Field on Sept. 3, 1977. The Browns won 19-14. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers coach Bart Starr cheers and runs toward the end zone as kicker Chester Marcol scores the winning touchdown on a blocked field goal in a 12-6 overtime victory over the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on Sept. 7, 1980. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers coach Bart Starr talks to reporters after a 29-7 loss to the Detroit Lions at Milwaukee County Stadium on Sept. 14, 1980. The embattled Starr had only one winning season in his first six years as coach. Press-Gazette Media archives

Packers coach Bart Starr and director of public relations Lee Remmel stand in the corner of the team?s locker room before a press conference on Dec. 27, 1980. Starr wouldn't start the press conference with Milwaukee Journal sports writer Dave Begel in the room, and Begel wouldn't leave. Starr had refused to talk to Begel since early in the season. Starr, who had been relieved of his general manager's duties earlier in the day, met with TV and radio reporters in the locker room, then separately with newspaper reporters in his office so he could exclude Begel. Press-Gazette Media archives

An unidentified woman makes it all the way to the Green Bay Packers sideline while trying to take a picture of coach Bart Starr during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field on Aug. 29, 1981. Starr, bothered by the intrusion, is flanked by offensive linemen Karl Swanke (67) and Larry Coombs (71). Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers coach Bart Starr talks to reporters after a 41-17 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in an NFC first-round playoff game at Lambeau Field on Jan. 8, 1983. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers coach Bart Starr, left, talks with Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry on the playing field before the start of an NFC second-round playoff game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, on Jan. 16, 1983. File/AP

Bart Starr said he was disappointed, but not bitter, after being fired as Green Bay Packers coach on Dec. 19, 1983, after going 52-76-3 in nine seasons. “I will be the No. 1 Packer fan,” he said. He also noted that “this organization is far better than when we took over, far better.” Indeed, the Packers went through three more coaches over 11 years before reaching the playoffs again. Press-Gazette Media archives

Former Green Bay Packers coach Bart Starr and former Packers player James Lofton greet each other in the hall outside the Brown County courtroom where Lofton's sexual assault trial was being held on May 21, 1987. Press-Gazette Media archives

Former Green Bay Packers player and coach Bart Starr and his wife, Cherry, meet with friends and family of Ray Nitschke before a memorial service for Nitschke in Green Bay on March 14, 1998. Press-Gazette Media archives

Former Green Bay Packers coach and quarterback Bart Starr speaks to the Assembly Special Committee on the Renovation of Lambeau Field on Feb. 29, 2000, urging that the stadium bill get speedy approval by the Legislature. Press-Gazette Media archives

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr wipes away tears after a huge ovation from the crowd during the halftime introduction of Packers alumni at Lambeau Field on Sept. 17, 2000. Press-Gazette Media archives

From left, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr, his wife Cherry Starr, Deanna Favre and Packers quarterback Brett Favre watch as jerseys are auctioned at Hattiesburg Country Club on May 13, 2004. File/Hattiesburg American

A statue of former Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr stands in the Bart Starr Plaza in front of the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon after being dedicated on Sept. 9, 2004. Press-Gazette Media archives

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr wipes away a tear during a dedication ceremony for a statue in his honor outside the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon on Sept. 9, 2004. Press-Gazette Media archives

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr makes an appearance at a campaign rally for state Rep. John Gard at the Oneida Golf and Country Club in Green Bay May 25, 2006. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers legend Bart Starr wipes away tears while delivering an emotional keynote speech during the National Day of Prayer breakfast at the Riverside Ballroom in Green Bay on May 2, 2008. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers great Bart Starr on the red carpet before the world premiere of "Lombardi," a film by HBO Sports and NFL Films, in the Legends Club at Lambeau Field on Nov. 18, 2010. Press-Gazette Media archives

Green Bay Packers great Bart Starr carries the team flag during pregame festivities during the NFL season opener against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field on Sept. 8, 2011. Press-Gazette Media archives